‘Beat LA’ is actually good for LA

Share: “Beat LA! Beat LA! Beat LA!” This is a chant that Los Angeles sports fans are all too familiar with. Some fans are annoyed with it, while others think of it as the biggest compliment.  Typically, teams like the 49ers, Giants, Padres, and Celtics are the main ones who enjoy chanting this when hosting a Los Angeles team. I believe the chant is a great thing for the city for many reasons.  The chant originally started back in 1982, during the Eastern Conference Finals …

Swing and no miss: PCC baseball breaks scoring record

Share: In a great display of offensive prowess, the Pasadena City College baseball team has put its name in the records of school history with an extraordinary performance on the diamond. Their game against Chaffey saw the Lancers amass a staggering 24 runs, marking the highest run total in 23 years for the team under the direction of Coach Pat McGee.  The game showcased an offensive onslaught rarely seen in baseball. PCC’s relentless batting yielded 21 hits and an impressive 39 baserunners, capitalizing on 15 …

Cowardly Alito passes the buck to wife on flag controversy

Share: In a clear violation of the Code of Conduct for United States judges, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito flew an upside-down American flag, which is a prominent symbol of the “Stop the Steal” movement, in front of his home in January 2021 while the Supreme Court was still contending with a 2020 election case. Despite this being a very obvious conflict of interest, Alito refused to recuse himself from any Trump-related court cases because he claimed that his wife was the one who put …

Sí se pudo! Latine graduation reinforces PCC as a Hispanic Serving Institution

Share: The Sexson Auditorium was Latine-fied Last Friday for the Latine graduation. Family, friends, and faculty all got together in celebration and support for our Latine student graduates and transfer students.  Proud parents and guardians attended in masses to celebrate their children’s achievements and academic success at PCC. In a college that prides itself as a Hispanic-serving institution, it is events like these that solidify the community’s value within this institution.  “PCC is a proud Hispanic-serving Institution and has been one since 1992. We serve …

There’s nothing neutral about ‘institutional neutrality’

Share: In a world increasingly fraught with political tension and social upheaval, the concept of “institutional neutrality” has become a convenient fig leaf for organizations looking to dodge accountability and controversy. Harvard University’s recent decision to reject calls for a stronger stance on social and political issues under the guise of neutrality is a prime example of this misguided and fundamentally political stance. Harvard’s leadership, in opting for neutrality, ostensibly aims to create an environment where academic freedom and open discourse can flourish unimpeded by …

‘Jazzadena’ ensemble showcases noteworthy musical prowess

Share: In the dimly lit ambiance of the Piazza Dining Hall, a magical Wednesday evening unfolded as the Jazz Supper Club Show took center stage. The spotlight shined brightly on the hard work and dedication of the college’s jazz program, showcasing the extraordinary talents of the Vocal Jazz Combo and the sensational ensemble, Jazzadena, accompanied by the brilliant band.  Under the expert guidance and direction of Professor Mary Durst, the students of the jazz programs practiced their craft for 16 weeks, devoting hours to perfecting …

‘In A Violent Nature’ proves to be a bloody mess

Share: Attempting to breathe new life into the slasher subgenre in 2024 is a little like trying to kill Michael Myers. No matter how strong or creative you may be, you’re probably going to wind up having to take another stab at it in the sequel. Or, in the case of veteran horror director Chris Nash’s most recent film, “In A Violent Nature,” deliver another swing of the ax.  At first glance, the plot of the film is relatively straightforward and follows the slasher formula …

From DC to D.C.: How one professor integrates comics into the classroom

Share: Javier sat pensively in the back row of his English class as an old and grainy YouTube upload of the “I Have a Dream” speech played one morning, early in the 2014 fall semester at PCC. While initially very quiet and reserved in class, it was clear to professor Dustin Hanvey that Javier always had a lot more he wanted to say. As the fuzzy video continued playing, Javier proved his professor right. He raised his hand and jokingly suggested the class take a …

West End’s new Juliet doesn’t owe you beauty

Share: The internet has gone crazy with misogyny, racism, and featurism over the casting of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet in Jamie Lloyd’s “Romeo and Juliet” play. Time and time again, the internet seems to find a woman of color to criticize for her non-European-centric features. With Avantika Vandanapu receiving immense amounts of hate for a fan-cast of a Rapunzel remake that wasn’t even confirmed, and both Rachel Zegler and Halle Bailey receiving backlash for simply not being white, it is becoming evident that women of …

Incoming student trustee finds her spirit at PCC

Share: During her years at Temple City High School, Irene Wong immersed herself in the rules and procedures of Model United Nations.  “I tried out [for student government in high school] but I didn’t have enough spirit,” Wong said in an interview, laughing. In the diplomatic, collaborative environment of Model UN, Wong discovered a passion for social and political advocacy. “I really got into political advocacy around high school,” Wong said. “I think that ingrained interest is what drew me to being a part of …